Why Electronics Need More Than Standard Carrier Coverage
Electronics are expensive, fragile and often needed on a deadline. A carrier's basic liability is usually a small fraction of what a batch of laptops or a rack of servers is worth, and a late or damaged delivery can stall a whole team.
A declared value is not the same thing as insurance. It states what you say the shipment is worth, but the carrier's own limit can still decide what is paid. With full-value insurance, the declared value of the shipment is covered, up to $150,000 with Unival.
Documentation matters as much as coverage. Serial numbers, photographs, tracking scans and a stored proof of delivery show exactly what was sent, when it moved and who received it.
What to Prepare for Each Type of Electronics Shipment
Different equipment carries different risks. This table shows what to focus on for each.
| Shipment | Main risk | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Laptops and devices | Theft, damage, count differences | Serial number list, anti-static bags, full declared value |
| Servers and networking gear | Weight, impact damage | Size and weight for the quote, firm padding, no loose parts |
| Test equipment and instruments | Calibration and shock damage | Original or custom packing, photos, condition note |
| Prototypes and pre-production units | Hard to replace, confidential | Photos, revision and serial records, plain packaging |
| Displays and components | Surface damage, static | Anti-static packing, rigid support, itemized list |
Whatever you ship, the declared value should match your paperwork. A value that is too low can reduce what is paid out if you need to make a claim.
Shipping Electronics From San Francisco and the Bay Area
Silicon Valley spreads across dozens of cities, from San Francisco down the Peninsula to the South Bay. Hardware startups, semiconductor and electronics companies and life sciences firms all ship equipment that is costly to replace. Typical shipments from the Bay Area include:
- Laptop and device rollouts to teams and customers
- Servers and networking gear moving between offices and facilities
- Test equipment sent to customers, labs and service providers
- Prototypes and pre-production units moving between teams and partners
- Devices sent back for repair, refresh or refurbishing
Unival is headquartered in the Los Angeles Jewelry District and insures and tracks shipments to and from San Francisco. Read more about our secure transportation or see our overviews of insured shipping in San Francisco and insured shipping in Los Angeles.
Overnight and Two-Day Options
The service is chosen at booking, for each shipment. Overnight service is the usual choice when equipment is needed the next day, and two-day service suits shipments that can wait a little longer.
Tell us how soon the equipment must arrive when you request a quote, and we will confirm which option fits.
Batteries, Racks and Oversized Equipment
Lithium batteries can be shipped inside the device and labelled correctly. Loose batteries follow separate rules, so contact us before you ship if your shipment includes them.
Server racks and other large equipment can also be shipped. Request a quote with the item's size and weight so we can confirm the coverage and the price.
How to Pack and Document Electronics for Shipping
Good packing and good records prevent most claim disputes. Before you ship, check the following:
- Record the serial number and model of every unit.
- Photograph the equipment and its condition before packing.
- Use anti-static bags where they apply, and fill every gap so nothing can move.
- Encrypt or wipe storage devices, and keep confidential project names off labels and packing lists.
- Use a plain outer box with no mention of the contents.
- Declare the full, accurate value at booking.
What Affects the Cost of Insured Electronics Shipping?
The price has two parts: the shipping and the insurance on the declared value. The size and weight of the equipment, the service you choose, the destination and the declared value all change the total.
We quote each shipment before it moves. Get a quote with the equipment, its size and weight, its declared value, the pickup location and the destination.
